• Friends of the Library supports library programs.

    1965 (all day)

    Foundation Established

    On September 22nd of 1965 the Library Foundation (Friends) formed and had their first board meeting.


  • Library Bears sculpted by Karl Schiefer.

    1997 (all day)

    Library Bears Given to the Library

    The Library bears were a gift from The Friends, dedicated in 1997. They were purchased to enhance the Library Plaza on Kirkwood Avenue, and to celebrate the library as the center of the community. The bears are made from Monroe County limestone and together weigh 4.5 tons. Sculptor Karl Schiefer saw the bears as a family group, and hoped that the community would recognize the family unity represented by the bears.


  • Library Bears named Sunny, Luna, and Snowdrop.

    2008 (all day)

    Library Bears Named

    The Friends held a naming ceremony for the bears on June 1, 2008 in celebration of International Children's Day. The winning names were Sunny (the walking or father bear, named by Francis Sun, age 4), Luna (the mother bear, named by Olivia Pate, age 11), and Snowdrop (the baby, named by Amara Crook, age 9).